11.21.24 Executive statement on Missouri AG lawsuit over gun ordinance

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 21, 2024

 

Jackson County Executive statement on Missouri Attorney General’s impending lawsuit over County gun ordinance

 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. issued the following statement today following Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s announcement of his intention to file a lawsuit against the County’s recently enacted gun ordinance and his request to the County Legislature to preserve all records in anticipation of litigation:

“This announcement comes as no surprise. From the start, I made it clear that this ordinance violated Missouri law. While I strongly disagree with the state’s preemption of local gun regulations—because I believe communities should have the ability to protect themselves—ignoring the law doesn’t lead to progress. It leads to predictable legal challenges and wasted resources, and unfortunately, this ordinance will do more harm to gun safety advocacy than doing nothing at all.

“When leaders pass laws that they know won’t hold up in court, they don’t just waste taxpayer money—they erode the trust people place in government. They create frustration and cynicism, making it harder to build the kind of consensus we need to take meaningful action. Progress on gun safety isn’t achieved through political theater or performative gestures; it’s achieved through thoughtful, lawful, and sustained efforts to bring people together around real solutions.

“Jackson County has never shied away from taking on tough fights when it’s the right thing to do—and we’ve won. Our success comes not from performative actions but from standing on the side of the law, acting strategically, and prioritizing the best interests of our residents.

“Our record of success includes:

  • Challenging the Second Amendment Preservation Act: When the state passed this performative law undermining the rule of law, I partnered with St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page, St. Louis City Mayor Tishaura Jones, and the United States Department of Justice to challenge it in court. That law was ultimately found unconstitutional.
  • Defending Public Health Authority: During the pandemic, we joined with public health officials inside and outside of government to successfully reinstate longstanding, lifesaving laws that help keep our communities safe, despite attempts by the Missouri Attorney General to strip those protections away.
  • Preserving Fair Reassessments: When the County’s reassessment processes were attacked by the Attorney General and others, we stood firm and successfully defended them against baseless claims.

“We win these fights because we fight smart. We follow the law, not work against it. That’s why I urge the Legislature to reconvene and fix this ordinance before the County is forced to waste taxpayer dollars on a losing effort. Specifically, I encourage them to undo the changes made to the County’s code and instead adopt provisions similar to those implemented by Kansas City, Missouri. Kansas City’s code was thoughtfully crafted to avoid violating the state’s preemption laws while addressing gun safety concerns. Adopting similar provisions would protect public safety while creating much-needed uniformity across Jackson County.

“The people of Jackson County deserve leadership that doesn’t just chase headlines but delivers results. That’s why I opposed this ordinance, and it’s why I will continue to focus on practical, enforceable measures that reduce gun violence and make our communities safer. I urge the Legislature and others to join me in crafting policies that meet the moment, respect the law, and reflect the trust our residents have placed in us. Because the fight to protect our communities is too important to waste on shortcuts and symbolism.”

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